• BMB Reports
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.530-534
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• 1996

Astrocyte are the major glial cell type in the central nervous system (CNS), and analogous to macrophage, mediates the number of immune responses such as production of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) upon activation. $TNF-{\alpha}$ has been implicated in neuroimmunological disorders through killing oligodendrocytes and thus causing demyelination. It has been previously demonstrated that mitogen-activated T cells synthesized a 26 kDa precursor form of $TNF-{\alpha}$ which is bound to the surface of a membrane, and is later secreted as a 17 kDa mature version. In order to examine whether astrocytes would produce the transmembrane form of $TNF-{\alpha}$, astrocytes were stimulated with biological stimuli and the membrane form of $TNF-{\alpha}$ was analyzed by Western blot and FACS analysis. When astrocytes are stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), $IFN-{\gamma}/LPS$, or $IFN-{\gamma}/IL-1{\beta}$, they were able to express a membrane-anchored $TNF-{\alpha}$ of approximately 26 kDa protein which was immunoreactive to an $anti-TNF-{\alpha}$ antibody, whereas unstimulated astrocytes or astrocytes treated with $IFN-{\gamma}$ or $IL-1{\beta}$ alone was not. Our FACS data were also consistent with the immunoblot analysis. Our result suggests that the membrane form of $TNF-{\alpha}$ expressed by activated astrocytes may cause local damage to oligodendrocytes by direct cell-cell contact and contribute to demyelination observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE).

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2017

Microglia have multiple functions in regulating homeostasis of the central nervous system. Microglia cells have been implicated as active contributors to neuron damage in neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, medicinal plant extracts (MPEs) were used to evaluate the cell-death induction effect in microglia BV-2 cells. Among 35 MPEs tested in this study, 4 MPEs showed less than a 30% cell survival after 24 hours of incubation. These were Foeniculi Fructus, Forsythiae Fructus, Zingiberis Rhizoma and Hedera Rhombea. The concentration showed that 50% cell death ($IC_{50}$) occurred with 33, 83, 67 Ed highlight: Please confirm wording, and $81{\mu}/ml$, respectively. For further study, we chose Zingiberis Rhizoma (ZR) which showed a reasonably low $IC_{50}$ value and an induction of cell death in a relatively narrow range. Western blot analysis showed that ZR-treated cells showed activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of PARP Ed highlight: When an acronym is first presented it needs to be spelled out in both dose- and time-dependent manners. However, the level of Bcl-2 and Bax were not changed by ZR-treatment in BV-2 cells. These results suggest that ZR-induced apoptosis in BV-2 cells occured through caspase-3 activation. The results also suggested that ZR may be useful in developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.89-93
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• 2013

Compensatory hyperhidrosis or reflex hyperhidrosis is the increase in sweating in the postoperative stage of thoracic sympathectomy or lumbar sympathectomy. It shares several features with anxiety disorders and has a negative impact on a patient's quality of life. Oralglycopyrrolate is one of the treatment options available. This study reviewed case notes in a series of 19 patients with compensatory hyperhidrosis. We made a comparison between the Milanez de Campos score of a pre-glycopyrrolate medication group and the Milanez de Campos score of a post-glycopyrrolate medication group. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) score, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) scale score were also compared between the pre-medication and post-medication groups. In the post-glycopyrrolate medication group, there was decrease in the Milanez de Campos score, BAI score, and BDI score (P < 0.05). But no meaningful change was seen in the ANS score in the post-glycopyrrolate medication group (P > 0.05). Glycopyrrolate is an effective medication in the treatment of compensatory hyperhidrosis that, can alleviate anxiety and improve patients' quality of life.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.79-83
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• 2009

Exposure to early stressful adverse life events such as maternal and social separation plays an essential role in the development of the nervous system. Adolescent Sprague-Dawley rats that were separated on postnatal day 14 from their dam and litters (maternal social separation, MSS) showed hyperactivity and anxiolytic behavior in the open field test, elevated plus-maze test, and forced-swim test. Biologically, the number of astrocytes was significantly increased in the prefrontal cortex of MSS adolescent rats. The hyperactive and anxiolytic phenotype and biological alteration produced by this MSS protocol may provide a useful animal model for investigating the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders of childhood-onset diseases, such as attention deficient hyperactive disorder.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.265-275
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• 2006

In the developing brain, capillaries are differentiated and matured into the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is composed of cerebral endothelial cells, astrocyte end-feet, and pericytes. Since the BBB regulates the homeostasis of central nervous system (CNS), the maintenance of the BBB is important for CNS function. The disruption of the BBB may result in many brain disorders including brain tumors. However, the molecular mechanism of BBB formation and maintenance is poorly understood. Here, we summarize recent advances in the role of oxygen tension and growth factors on BBB development and maintenance, and in BBB dysfunction related with brain tumors.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.314-321
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• 2014

Cibotii Rhizoma, the dried rhizome of Cibotium barometz J. Smith (C. barometz), has long been used to treat bone or nervous system disorders. In this regard, we isolated three main phenolic compounds, onitin-4-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (1), irisdichototins E & F epimeric mixture (2), and protocatechuic acid (3) from C. barometz methanol extract. In addition, we screened their antioxidative activities by DPPH, ABTS radical, and superoxide scavenging assays. Among these three compounds, irisdichototins E & F and protocatechuic acid showed strong antioxidant activities. Also, the antioxidant activities of the C. barometz extracts were proportional to the contents of irisdichototins E & F and protocatechuic acid, thus these two phenolic compounds could be main active compounds of C. barometz. In addition, onitin-4-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside is considered as a marker compound of C. barometz because this compound is specifically contained in C. barometz which belongs to Pteridophyta order. A rapid analysis method for the simultaneous determination of phenolic compounds was also developed by UPLC (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography). Using the developed method, the two active compounds (irisdichototins E & F and protocatechuic acid) and a marker compound (onitin-4-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside) were successfully quantified in 14 commercial samples that were collected from different regions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.163-171
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• 2019

Common features of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) include progressive dysfunctions and neuronal injuries leading to deterioration in normal brain functions. At present, ginseng is one of the most frequently used natural products. Its use has a long history as a cure for various diseases because its extracts and active compounds exhibit several pharmacological properties against several disorders. However, the pathophysiology of NDDs is not fully clear, but researchers have found that various ion channels and specific signaling pathways might have contributed to the disease pathogenesis. Apart from the different pharmacological potentials, ginseng and its active compounds modulate various ion channels and specific molecular signaling pathways related to the nervous system. Here, we discuss the signal modulating potential of ginseng and its active compounds mainly focusing on those relevant to NDDs.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.251-259
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• 2021

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) is a neuropsychiatric condition that causes a transient alteration of consciousness and loss of self-control. PNES, which occur in vulnerable individuals who often have experienced trauma and are precipitated by overwhelming circumstances, are a body's expression of a distressed mind, a cry for help. PNES are misunderstood, mistreated, under-recognized, and underdiagnosed. The mind-body dichotomy, an artificial divide between physical and mental health and brain disorders into neurology and psychiatry, contributes to undue delays in the diagnosis and treatment of PNES. One of the major barriers in the effective diagnosis and treatment of PNES is the dissonance caused by different illness perceptions between patients and providers. While patients are bewildered by their experiences of disabling attacks beyond their control or comprehension, providers consider PNES trivial because they are not epileptic seizures and are caused by psychological stress. The belief that patients with PNES are feigning or controlling their symptoms leads to negative attitudes of healthcare providers, which in turn lead to a failure to provide the support and respect that patients with PNES so desperately need and deserve. A biopsychosocial perspective and better understanding of the neurobiology of PNES may help bridge this great divide between brain and behavior and improve our interaction with patients, thereby improving prognosis. Knowledge of dysregulated stress hormones, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and altered brain connectivity in PNES will better prepare providers to communicate with patients how intangible emotional stressors could cause tangible involuntary movements and altered awareness.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.179-186
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• 2022

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK3) play major role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral ischemia and other Central Nervous System disorders. Since JNK3 is primarily stated in the brain and stimulated by stress-stimuli, this situation is conceivable that inhibiting JNK3 could be a possible treatment for the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases. In this study drugs from Zinc15 database were screened to identify the JNK3 inhibitors by Molecular docking and Density functional theory approach. Molecular docking was done by Autodock vina and the ligands were selected based on the binding affinity. Our results identified top ten novel ligands as potential inhibitors against JNK3. Molecular docking revealed that Venetoclax, Fosaprepitant and Avapritinib exhibited better binding affinity and interacting with proposed binding site residues of JNK3. Density functional theory was used to compute the values for energy gap, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), and highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). The results of Density functional theory study showed that Venetoclax, Fosaprepitant and Avapritinib serves as a lead compound for the development of JNK3 small molecule inhibitors.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Polygala Tenuifolia, also described as Yuan Zhi, is a conventional botanic plant found in Korea and China. It's most well- known promise is to improve cognition and guard against mental disorders, cure sputum, anxiety, and sleeplessness, and keep the central nervous system health. The pharmacological aspects of Polygala Tenuifolia's genesis and component compounds reveal the neuroprotective potential in connection to Alzheimer's disease. It contains three herbs: Bokshin, Sukchangpo, and Wongi. P. Tenuifolia's primary ingredients are Xanthone glycosides, Triterpenoid saponins, and Oligosaccharides. Polygalasaponins and Etrahydrocolumbamine are the major components, and they've been widely used for more than a century to relieve mood and psychological illnesses, particularly in North Asian countries such as Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan. P. Tenuifolia extract eliminates allergic illnesses such as eczema and contact dermatitis by modulating Protein kinase-A and Mitogen-protein kinase-38. In vitro and in vivo studies linking P. tenuifolia root ingredients to a variety of pharmacological effects pertinent to AD show that this species' isolates may function through polyvalency. In great health, people can take up to 250-300 mg per day. It was given in peer-reviewed studies at dosages of 100-150 mg many times each day. There is minimal evidence that it improves verbal memory in experimental animals.